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13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 20,2018 theifp.ca The Town of Halton Hills has pre- sented grants to two of six locations selected, as part of its community im- provement plan. Through providing businesses and building owners with financial incen- tives, the plan aims to help attract pri- vate sector investment and aid in the beautification and revitalization of commercial buildings in town. On Dec. 12, Helsons Law received $27,853 for facade and interior im- provements made to its new office in Acton, and MCO Management Inc. re- ceived $20,007 for upgrades made to the Giant Tiger Plaza. Jason Karametch, of MCO, says the additions to the plaza included siding work and a new stone skirt at the bot- tom of the plaza, new signage with LED lights, fresh paint, new LED lights in the parking lot and the addi- tion of bollards. "There are substantial improve- ments going on (in town) and we can see it too; it's nice to be part of it," said David Ashbee of Helsons Law. "We like the fact that they reward- ed us for doing this renovation and we think that it's substantially improved from what it was and it makes the downtown, at least in our little part, look a little better." Renovations at the law firm's new unit included wheelchair-accessible front doors, new floors, added insula- tion and soundproof rooms for client privacy. Ashbee says the grant will help offset the cost of the exterior fas- cia. "It's another way that the town has invested in these buildings," Mayor Rick Bonnette said. "They get an at- tractive looking building, they get ten- ants, the place looks better than being an old brick, looking tired and run down, and at the end of the day, their assessment goes up higher and that's the payback to the town." Bonnette says one additional loca- tion in Acton and three locations in Georgetown will be receiving grants in the new year. COUNCIL COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN GRANTS PRESENTED AT 2 ACTON LOCATIONS VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com From left to right: Councillor Jon Hurst, Linda Olson (Chair of the Downtown Acton BIA), Mayor Rick Bonnette, Tim Efthimiou (MCO), Jason Karametch (MCO), Kris Misevski (MCO), and councillors Mike Albano and Clark Somerville. Veronica Appia/Metroland Starting next month, commuters in Acton and Georgetown will experience additional GO Train trip op- tions on the Kitchener line. Ontario Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek made the announcement on Dec. 17 at the Kitchener VIA Rail Station, introducing the ser- vice changes, which will come into fruition on Jan. 7. "We are now increasing service to Kitchener GO by 25 per cent and there will be more news to come," he said. "This is an important step as we continue working with CN to deliver more service and offer two-way, all-day GO train service for people on the Kitchener line as soon as possible." The changes mean morn- ing service that presently begins in Georgetown, will begin at Kitchener GO at 5:40 a.m. The train will then stop in Guelph and Acton, before arriving in George- town and making the usual stops to Union Station. In the afternoons, the trip leaving Union Station at 3:35 p.m., that currently ends in Georgetown, will also be ex- tended to Kitchener, with stops in Acton and Guelph. A morning option will al- so be added from George- town, Brampton and Mount Pleasant stations, as well as an extra afternoon option from Union Station to Bloor, Weston, Etobicoke North and Malton stations. "This will give our com- muters more choice," Hal- ton Hills Mayor Rick Bon- nette said, adding that the announcement is a wel- come step closer to the town's larger goal. "The more trains we get in Halton Hills, the closer we are inching to two-way all-day GO service. Some- thing that myself and the all the mayors on the Kitche- ner line have been advocat- ing to the provincial govern- ment." NEWS GEORGETOWN, ACTON TO GET INCREASED GO TRAIN SERVICE VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com Thank you Halton Hills for your continued trust and loyalty. We wish you all the best in 2019 and look forward to seeing you in our Georgetown showroom! Margaret & the Kabinet Pro Crew 348 Guelph Street, Georgetown (Behind YoYo's, next to Cooper Standard) kabinetpro.com 905-702-7719 Authorized Dealer for Berton Blvd From our family to yours... Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!